BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- For the first time during 2014 Fall Camp, the UAB football team practiced in front of an audience on Saturday as former Blazer football players looked on during the two-hour workout at the UAB Practice Fields.

Head coach Bill Clark and his staff invited former players to get a first-hand glimpse of the UAB football team. The Blazer alumni then joined the current squad for lunch at the University Commons.

"One of the first things we want our players to understand is that when you leave you don't leave us," Clark said. "This is what we train our players for. You know, do you give back? Are you staying connected? We want to connect to those guys and we have to do more than just talk about it. We have to make them want to come around."

The group of former players, as well as the parents of current Blazers, witnessed the first of two scheduled practices on Saturday. Clark said he was pleased with team's effort during the first workout session.

"I'm really impressed right now," Clark said. "They have been doing what we want them to do. As we said today, we have effort and the want to - now we want to be technically proficient in what we do, but overall we had a good day today."

Saturday's work represents the first two-a-day of Fall Camp and completes the first week of practice for the UAB football team.

The Blazers kick off the 2014 season against Troy on Aug. 30 at Legion Field. Ticket information for UAB's six home games can be found at www.UABsports.com or by calling the UAB ticket office at 205-975-8221.

For more information on the UAB football team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Football). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official Twitter account of UAB Athletics (@UABAthletics).